Spring cover



. May-279 930. BBLEUSTI 1,7 0 ;651.

SPRING COVER Filed Feb. 28, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l m so 3 1930- 5. B. LEUSTIG 1,760,651

SPRlNG- COVER Filed Feb. 28, 1925 3 SheetsSheet 2 y 1930- B. B.ILEUSTIG 1,760,651

Q SPRING COVER Filed Feb. 28, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet s Patented May 27, 193i) sari BENNO B.'LEUSTIG, OF CLEVELAND,- GI-IIO SPRING COVER Application filed. February 28, 1925. Serial No. 12,247.

with a longitudinal closure means for a fibrous spring cover or boot, the closure structure being such that the cover may be readily applied to a vehicle spring to snugly enclose the same while permitting a full flexing movement of the cover throughout its length to conform to the deflecting or re-V bound movement of the spring.

Otherob ects of my invention Wlll hereinafter be set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof. The essential characteristics are summarizedin' the clalms.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a portion of anelliptic spring showing the application of my cover thereto; Fig. 2 Is'a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the spring and cover illustrating the manner of application or the cover to the spring; Fi 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken transverse 1y through the cover and spring substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 1s a similar view taken along the line k4: of Fig. 1; Fig.7 5 is still another transverse view taken through the springandcover substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 1s a perspective view of a closure band adapted to clamptheends of the cover to the spring;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of seam structureadaptable to my cover; 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 3 showing a cover in position on a spring with the modified closure means. illustrated in Fig: 'I embodied therein; Fig. 9 is still another form of coverstruc ture; Fig. 10 is a view slmilar to 3 showing the modified cover illustrated in Fig. 9

' when positioned on a vehicle spring; Fig. 11

is a View of an elliptic spring having a modified formof cover mounted thereon; Fig. 12 c is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view bottom side up of the cover shown in Fig. 11; F ig.. 13 is across-sectional view taken substantially along the line 1313 of Fig. 11'; Fig. 14. is afragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the spring and cover; Fig. 15' IS a longitudinal cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 1515 of Fig. 14 and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view similar to F v i There has been an extended development in devices which are adapted to be applied to the leaf' springs of vehicles which are directed to protecting the springs from moisture and grit as well as to the lubrication of the spring leaves. These devices have been 7 developed along two general lines namely covers having the bodies thereof formed of flexible material such as textile material or leather and those which are formed of metal usually articulated sections which permit a flexing movement of the metal cover whereby it may conform to the deflecting movement of the spring to be covered.

The latter class of springs has been found to be quiteserviceable, but necessarily expensive relative to the former'class and it is with thatclass of spring covers with which my invention is primarily concerned.

Ithas been customary heretofore'to provide a fabric cover with a longitudinalseam and this seam was closed by either a lacing arrangement or a: button arrangement in the form of glove snaps for securing the cover to the springjto be protected and lubricated! A felt wick was usually included within the cover. whereby oil was-fed along the spring by capillary attraction. When a lacing arrangement was provided, the cover'could be closely drawn to snugly fit the spring but the neat appearance thereof was interfered with due to the fact that it was necessary to provide a heavy lacing with attendant wrinkling of the cover of the laced seam. When a glove snap means was provided, it was not unusuai that the cover would not fit the spring inasmuch as the so-called standard springs varied in their general dimensions.

necessitating the removal of any bolts or parts of the vehicle spring mounting. This seam structure embodies longitudinally extending flexible metallic members which engage the cover throughout the longitudinal seam edges thereof whereby lateral stresses are evenly distributed and are not concentrated in intermediate places such as has been characteristic of lacing and button snap closing means.

A preferred cover structure embodying my inventionis shown in Figs. 1 to 6. In Fig. 1, I show the usual vehicle spring comprising a plurality of springalaminations or leaves C, the bottonione of which is looped as shown at D to afford engagement with a shackle bolt not shown. The cover is shown in position on the spring in Fig. lto extend from the shackle bolt to spring saddle or. mounting plate E and for full elliptic springs a cover is provided to extend on each side of the plate E butnot thereover. In Fig. 2,1 show a. preferred form of seam structure which may comprise apair of longitudinally extending rods or-wires and 11. These rods are provided with loopedportions 12 and 13 respectively, the loops on the rod 10 being of greater. width but; shorter than the loops on the rod 11 for a purpose to be hereinafter 7 described.

The body of the cover, if desired, may comprise single layer of fabric 16 of a particular shape to extendaround thefour sides of the spring and be closedalong the bottomof thespring by engagement of the loop portions 12 and 13 of the rods 10 and 11. The body 16 is accordingly provided with longitudinally extending hems 18 and 19 respectively enclosing the longitudinal stretches of therods 11 and 10. The hems 18 and 19 are slit to permit the extension of the loop portions 13 and 12 therethrough. The hem structure 19 may be formed in the usual manner by a hemming operation namelyby'simply turning the edge portion 20 of the fabric body 16 under and securing it about the rod by suitable stitches 22. The hem 18 is formed in a similar manner by stitches 23 butthe fabric may be again doubled back to 'pro-' vide a flap portion 25 which'may extend across the top of the spring with a side portlon 25 thereof extending downwardly a suitable distance along the slde of the spring.

The loop portions 13 of the rod 11 may, origi- 1 nally have a shape sucl. as'is illustrated by the dot and dash lines 26 in Fig- 3 whereby the ends thereof curvenpwardly from the cover flap thus facilitating the insertion through an engagement with the loops-12. The length of the loops of the respective rods are proportioned whereby when the loops 13 are brought into engagement with the loops 12 and the cover is stretched into snug relation with the spring leaves and these loops are bent to. the full line closure or looking positionfshown, the rods 10 and 11 will be disposed equidistantly from the longitudinal center of thebottom spring leaf.

The means for forcing the lubricant into the cover comprise a grease gun coupling member 30, as shown in Fig. i of a well known type which may besecured to a suitably domed metallicplate 31 adapted to extend along the top spring leaf a short distance. This member'may have side legs 32 which may be bent into engagement with and engage the bottom edge of the top spring member as shown in Fig. 4 or it may be secured to the flap portion 25 in a manner to be hereinafter described. The flap portion 25 of the cover may, be suitably perforated whereby the plate 31 and nipple if desired, may first be positioned on the spring and the cover applied thereoven' e The structure described is readily adaptable in its application to vehicle springs with out necessitating the removal of the spring clampand bolt and as shown in Fig. 5 it will be seen that the spring clamp35 and spring bolt 36 may be completely enclosed presenting only a slight swelling appearance as shown. at 37 in Fig. 1; on the exterior of the cover. The seam of course will be slightly extending laterally at this place, but the nature of the looking or closure means is such that the particular loops 12'? and 13* will be disposed transversely a little further apart than the rest of the loops, but by reason of the fact that the loop 13 is of considerably greater length than loop 12 a neat efficient closure at this particular poihtwill be presented, as shown in Fig. 5.

Any suitable means may be used for clamping theends of the cover to the spring leaves.

In Fig. 61 show a metallic band] 38 which may be provided with a buckle member 39 in the form of a piece of looped wire. A free end lOof the band 38 may thus be inserted in the member 39 and the metallic band drawn into snug and tight engagement with the exterior of the endportions of the cover.

extend through the seams and engage the rods and 51 to secure the cover in place.

ln Fi -s. 9 and 10 I show still another form may be enhancedby providing filler strips in wherein the longitudinal rods or stay memthe form of cork or other flexible material bers may comprise flat metallic bands 60 and G1 which may be suitably perforated as ;hown at 62 to afford engagement with transversely extending ductile metallic members (35. The manner of application of the member 65 will be the same as the members 54 hereinbefore described.

Inasmuch as the seam structure is disposed along the bottom of the spring and not along the top thereof as has heretofore been cus-' position in any suitable manner preferablyby extending one end thereof outside of the cover w iereby it may be bent upwardly and downwardly over the end closure band 38 which is disposed adjacent to the spring addle plates.

if desired, the protective strip 70 shown in the three forms of spring cover constructions illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, may

comprise-a protectivemeans in the form of metallic screening material either of the mesh or braided type which may not only form a protective means but may also comprise a stiffening means for preventing the formation of longitudinal wrinkles in the flap portion when the seam is being closed. Such metallic screening if desired, may be stitched to the cover to be carried on the inside of'the i'iap portion 25 or the flap and screening may comprise a separate structure. Such separate structure would be appliable to the bottom side of the spring to comprise in effect the bottom of the cover with the hemmed edges of the body of the cover overlapping the sides thereof as shown in Figs. 12 and 16. Thus it will be seen in Figs. 12, 13, 15 and 16 that the prote t ve screening 73 may overlie the bot- 60111 or the spring. Fig. 12 shows a reversed position of the spring leaves as shown in Fig. 11 and this screening 73 shown as being secured to the flap portion in a convenient manner which may comprise suitable stitching 74 and 75. If desired. the stitching 74 may extend through the body 16 of the cover.

The nipple supporting means in this struc ture may comprise the metallic member 76 uit-ably threaded and secured to the flap and screen structure by rivets 78. The nipple in this construction will, of course. extend through suitable apertures formed in the screening and flap structure.

clip as shown in Figs la" and 15.

which may extend on each side of the rebound clips (two clips being shown in Fig. 11) and terminate on each side of the bolts 36 therefor, providing in effect a noninterrupted curved surface'along the bottom of the spring structure to which the cover may be readily applied. This arrangement is shown in Figs. 1a and 15 andthe fillers comprise members and 81 CrlSPGSGCl on each side of the U-shaped rebound clip 35. The thickness of these members, of course, may be substantially equal to the amount of extension of those portions of the spring clip lugs which afl'ord engagement for the bolt 36-. Bis a further protection to the fabric adjacent the clip edges, a sheet metal plate 88 may be provided to extend over the exposed edges of the spring This metallic strip may be only of sufficient width to span the ends of the filler members 80 and 81 and the spring clip ends.

it will be seen that by reinforcing the flap portion with a metallic screen lining, that this flap portion may take on sufiicient rigidity while remaining flexible relative, to the general spring structure to' facilitate the drawing together of the seam parts without any resulting wrinkling or buckling longitudinally of the flap, thus greatlyfacilitating the application of the cover to the spring vehicle as well as furthering the neat' and close fitting appearance thereof. The flap structure furthermore may be bent manually to have the free end thereof overlie the side of the spring.

It will be seen that any shift of the stay members or rods during a; deflection movement of the spring upon which the cover may be placed'is prevented by reasonof the loop portions engaging the hem structure of the seam. Likewise it will be apparent that the lock stresses due to the deflecting movement of the spring are not concentratedat any pari ticular point along the seam structure but are distributed in a uniform manner longitudinally of the seamstructure. It is also obvious that a cover of standard dimensions may be applied to a spring of corresponding standard size in a tight fitting manner'regardless of the variations in the dimensions of the s rin I Y 1 5 Also rt will be seen that a lubricant may be placed within the cover with considerable I portions of the spring leaves. All of the foregoing advantages are obtained. 1n a cover structure which involves only an extremely low manufacturing cost.

llaving thus described my invention, I claim; 7. o I

1. A fabric spring cover having a longitu dinal closure seam and looped flexible metallic members built in to the cover'strue force by the use of a grease gun thereby assur- V ing the application of lubricants to all ture to extend along said seam, the loop portions of said members eing adapted to be brought into engagement to close the cover when in positionon a spring.

2. A vehicle spring cover of the character described having a fabric body and a longitudinal closure seam and means for maintaining said seam closed, said closure seam comprising a fabricfiap port-ion, longitudinal stay members overlying the. flap portion, means for joining said stays and a grease gun nipple extendingthrough the flap portion.

3. A vehicle spring cover of the character describedcomprising a fabric member, longitudinal extending stays hemmed by the fabric and formed to have transversely extending interengageable loops.

f. A vehicle spring cover having a fabric body provided with a longitudinal closure seam including a flap portion underlying the seam, metallic stays positioned in hems formed in the fabric to overlie said flap por tion, a grease gun nipple extending through the flap portion and disposed between the hems of the cover, and means engaging a nipple adapted to lie under the ends and be positioned thereby.

A vehicle spring cover comprising a fabric boot adapted to surround four sides of a multiple leaf spring and having longitudie nally extending flexible metallic rods rein-' forcing the cover and formed to engage each other to hold the cover in axclosed condition.

6. A fabric springcoverhaving a longitue dinal closure seam including a flap portion adapted to extend across the top and one side of a spring, metallic members built in to the cover structure to extend along said seam,

ductile means including said metallic mem bers and adapted to be bent'to engage and lock said'nietallic members in longitudinal relationship. 7 y

7. In a spring cover of the character described a pair of longitudinally extend ng flexible members engaging the cover along the closure seam thereof, ductile metallic ieans associated with said members to afford a cover stretching and closure seamlocking means therefor, a grease gun nipple and a supporting means therefor OVGlF'WlllCl). saidv metallic members v extend. 7'

8. A fabric spring cover having a longitudinal closure seam and looped flex ble'metallic members built into the cover structure to extend along said seam, the loop portions of said members being ductile whereby they may be bent to lock, the cover when once placed in position on a spring. 9. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, the combination of a. fabric body having a 'longitudinal extending closure seam structure and a longitudinally extending stretchof fibrous material reinforced by metallic screening to preventthe wrinkling of the fiap portion of the cover while the same is beingapplied to a vehicle spring.

10. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, a longitudinal seam structure including a flap portion having a flexible metallic reinforcement directed to maintaining the flap portion in a smooth condition.

11. In a vehicle spring cover of the character described, a seanr structure comprising a metallically reinforced flap overlying hemmed cover edges reinforced by longitudinally extending metallic members and means engaging said members to secure the cover edges over the flap portion.

12. In a cover for a vehicle leaf spring having clip members thereon, a seam structure comprising longitudinally extending looped stays enclosed in hems formed along the longitudinal edges of a single piece of fabric comprising the cover means for securing the stays together at the loops, and filler members adapted to be disposed intermediate the clip members of the vehicle spring wh n the cover is placed thereon.

13-..A vehicle spring cover of the character described, comprising a fabric body member having its opposite edgesadapted to lie extending through said opening and between said edges.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aifix my signature- BENNO B. LEUSTIG. 

